Overview of American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

What Is the American Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)?

ASCII, short for the American Code for Information Interchange, is a standardized language for text used in computer systems. It emerged as the primary means of transferring data between computers back in 1963.

This coding system converts alphanumeric characters and symbols into a format that computers can process. Initially limited to English characters, ASCII now comprises two variants: a standard version utilizing a seven-bit coding scheme and an extended version employing an eight-bit system.

While Unicode has partly supplanted ASCII in online communications due to its multilingual capabilities, ASCII remains prevalent in inputting text on personal devices and computers.

It’s worth mentioning that ASCII is pronounced as “ASK-y.”

Key Takeaways

• The American Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) serves as a fundamental character encoding protocol for transmitting text across computer networks.
• Originally constrained to 128 English symbols, ASCII evolved to encompass a broader array of characters, accommodating various languages.
• While Unicode has largely succeeded ASCII in online contexts, the latter persists in device and computer text entry.

Understanding the American Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

ASCII traces its roots back to early telegraphic codes utilized by Bell data services for teleprinter communications.

Established as the premier character encoding system for computing in 1963, ASCII was mandated for all U.S. government computers by 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s directive. It saw extensive use in Wall Street’s order-entry systems for traders and brokers.

Although Unicode has superseded ASCII on the internet, the two systems coexist, given the initial character overlap.

To insert an ASCII symbol into a document on a Windows PC, press and hold the ALT key while inputting the character’s code number. For instance, ALT + 156 yields £, the British pound sign.

What’s In ASCII

Before ASCII’s standardization, computer manufacturers employed disparate codes, hindering cross-computer communication.

Despite its adoption as the national standard in 1963, full ASCII integration in the U.S. awaited President Johnson’s 1968 decree for universal compatibility among government and industry systems.

ASCII’s original form featured 128 characters drawn from the English language; subsequent enhancements in the 1970s broadened its scope to encompass other tongues.

Over time, ASCII expanded to 256 characters, culminating in the release of the 1981 Extended ASCII version.

Today, Windows users can input ASCII or Unicode symbols, like copyrights, by using the alt key in tandem with the numeric keypad while the NUM lock key is on.

What Is ASCII?

ASCII, or the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, functions as a text transmission encoding system. Each character corresponds to a unique numerical value. The initial ASCII version consisted of 128 characters, encompassing the alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase, alongside various common symbols like commas.

Subsequent ASCII iterations expanded to 256 characters, integrating new symbols such as the British pound (£) and the Spanish upside-down question mark (¿).

What Are the ASCII Characters?

In the Extended ASCII table, codes 0 through 31 pertain to control functions like start of text and backspace.

Codes 32 through 127 predominantly comprise alphabet letters (uppercase and lowercase) and symbols like asterisks and dollar signs.

Codes 128 through 255 encompass additional versions beyond the original English-only ASCII, introducing symbols such as an inverted exclamation mark, the yen sign, and the Georgian comma.

What Is ASCII vs. Unicode?

Unicode stands as a universal evolution of ASCII.

ASCII, rooted in English-language characters and symbols, served as the American Code for Information Interchange, while subsequent versions catered to diverse linguistic needs.

Contrastingly, Unicode builds upon ASCII’s foundation, maintaining the original 128 characters while encompassing a vast array of 149,186 characters in current iterations.